World renowned conga player and Hudson County resident Vincent “Little Johnny” Rivero, a regular with Eddie Palmieri’s groups, leads one of the hottest salsa groups anywhere at Lincoln Harbor Park on the Weehawken waterfront on Wednesday, July 17 at 7 p.m. This concert is part of the Summer Concerts on the Hudson music series presented by HRPAC. The Hudson Reporter newspapers are a co-sponsor.

Rivero grew up in New York City and played with NYC’s Orquesta Colón and recorded two albums with the group. He had a 16-year association with one of Puerto Rico’s leading bands, La Sonora Ponceña, during which Johnny travelled the world and recorded 18 highly respected albums.

Considered one of the best congeros in the world, Johnny often demonstrates his amazing abilities as a core member of Eddie Palmieri’s Latin Jazz Band and also his Salsa Orchestra.

Aside from his work with Maestro Palmieri, Eddie has collaborated with some of the greatest stars in the Salsa and Latin Jazz fields including, among others, Rubén Blades, Celia Cruz, Giovanni Hidalgo, Ray Barretto, Phil Woods, David Sánchez, Paquito D’Rivera, Miguel Zenon, Kenny G, and Bebo Valdes.

For this concert Johnny brings together a fantastic lineup of his closest musical colleagues.

Special guest will be Grammy Award-winning trumpeter Brian Lynch.

For more information, including directions, updates, and other concerts in the series, visit www.hrpac.org or call 201-716-4540.

Volunteers sought to aid foster care children

Are you interested in helping children in the foster care system? If so, Hudson County CASA (court appointed special advocate) is recruiting volunteers to assist in advancing the interests of abused and neglected children.

“CASA works through trained community volunteers to ensure that needed services and assistance are made available to children while helping to move them toward safe and permanent homes,” said spokeswoman Meghan Garcia.

An information session will be held Tuesday, July 9, from 6 to 7 p.m., Room 400, at the Hudson County Administration Building, 595 Newark Ave., Jersey City.

CASA and its volunteers speak for children in court, serve as fact finders for judges, and advocate for children while they are in the foster care system. Hudson County has nearly 700 children in foster care; most have been removed from their homes for abuse or neglect.

To learn more about CASA, call (201) 795-9855, e-mail mgarcia@hudsoncountycasa.org or visit www.hudsoncountycasa.org.